Lord Burns: Channel 4 chairman forced to step down by ministers amid privatisation fears

Lord Burns was expected to be reconfirmed as chair of the corporation

Lord Burns will step down as chairman of Channel 4 in January 2016 (Rex)

Ministers have forced Lord Burns, the chairman of Channel 4, to step down, fuelling speculation that the not-for-profit broadcaster is being prepared for privatisation.

Lord Burns, who had urged ministers to consider the idea of turning Channel 4 into a charitable trust as an alternative to selling off the broadcaster, was expected to be reconfirmed as chair of the corporation.

But the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has rejected a recommendation from Ofcom that Lord Burns should be granted a year-long extension to his tenure, Sky News reported.

Lord Burns will now step down at the end of January next year and the position will be advertised. A member of the Office of Budget Responsibility’s oversight board and a consummate Whitehall insider, Lord Burns was appointed Channel 4 chairman in 2010.

Ofcom had proposed that Lord Burns remain as chairman to provide continuity during the BBC Charter Review process which could have a significant impact on Channel 4.

A sell-off, which could raise up to £1bn, is one option being considered by ministers. The charitable trust route is also believed to remain an option.